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Mounts and Tripods

The mount is the part of a telescope system that decides what is possible. It sets how long you can expose before stars trail, how much optic you can carry, and how much of a night you spend imaging rather than troubleshooting. David Astro stocks mounts and tripods in Canada — equatorial, alt-azimuth, harmonic drive and star tracker — with piers, wedges and counterweights to match, shipped domestically.

We help customers size mounts to real payloads rather than optimistic ones, and we are candid about where a mount's rated capacity stops being realistic for imaging. If you tell us your optic and your intended use, we will tell you what it actually needs.

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CA$1,161.00 - CA$1,161.00
CA$1,161.00
CA$1,161.00 - CA$1,161.00
CA$1,161.00

William Optics RC Focuser w/ Optional 0.8x RC Reducer Flattener

Options available

Provides precise focusing for Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes Includes an optional 0.8x reducer flattener for improved image quality Description...

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CA$1,161.00 - CA$1,161.00
CA$1,161.00
CA$1,161.00 - CA$1,161.00
CA$1,161.00
CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00
CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00

William Optics Saddle Plate for Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate - 90mm

WO-M-SP90RC-RD
1 in stock

Length: 90 mm Dovetail Type: Vixen-Style Weight: 230 g (0.51 lbs) Full-Length, Non-Marring Clamp Signature William Optics Red Anodized Finish D...

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CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00
CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00

William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings

WO-M-GR50SL
1 in stock

Securely holds guidescopes and finders with a 50mm tube diameter Slide-base design allows for fore-and-aft adjustment for precise balancing Essent...

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CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
CA$92.00 - CA$92.00
CA$92.00
CA$92.00 - CA$92.00
CA$92.00

William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings - No Adjustments Screws

WO-M-GR50IISL

Seamlessly integrate with your existing astrophotography gear. Ensures stable attachment of your telescope to your mount. Description In th...

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CA$92.00 - CA$92.00
CA$92.00
CA$92.00 - CA$92.00
CA$92.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00

William Optics Vixen Style Finder Mounting Bracket

WO-M-FB50-B
1 in stock

Vixen-Style Dovetail Base Secure Mounting for Finderscopes and Guide Scopes Durable Metal Construction Compatible with Most Telescope Optical Tube...

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CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
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CA$115.00 - CA$115.00
CA$115.00
CA$115.00 - CA$115.00
CA$115.00

William Optics Vixen Style Finder Mounting Bracket for RedCat - Black Base

WO-M-FB50-RC-BB

Seamlessly integrate with your existing astrophotography gear. Ensures stable attachment of your telescope to your mount. Description In th...

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CA$115.00 - CA$115.00
CA$115.00
CA$115.00 - CA$115.00
CA$115.00
CA$32.00 - CA$32.00
CA$32.00
CA$32.00 - CA$32.00
CA$32.00

William Optics Vixen Style Mounting Base

WO-BAFM-ST001II
1 in stock

Compact 38 mm x 42 mm Mounting Base Standard Mini-Vixen Dovetail Profile Ultra-Lightweight at Just 45 g (0.10 lbs) Provides a Secure Attachment Po...

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CA$32.00 - CA$32.00
CA$32.00
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CA$32.00
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CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00
CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00

William Optics Vixen-Style 8" Dovetail Plate - Black

WO-M-PVB

Designed to fit Vixen-style dovetail mounts Ensures durability and a lightweight design. Description The William Optics Vixen-...

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CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00
CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00
Sold out
CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00
CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00

William Optics Vixen-Style 8" Dovetail Plate - Red

WO-M-PVR

Designed to fit Vixen-style dovetail mounts Ensures durability and a lightweight design. Description The William Optics Vixen-...

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CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00
CA$56.00 - CA$56.00
CA$56.00
CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00
CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00

William Optics ZenithStar V1 Upgrade Mounting Ring

Options available

Allows for simple installation Made with improved CNC for greater rigidity Description The William Optics ZenithStar V1 Upgrade Mounting Rin...

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CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00
CA$109.00 - CA$109.00
CA$109.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00

ZWO 160mm Pier Extension

ZWO-PE160
5 in stock

Adds 160mm (6.29") of height for increased OTA clearance Designed for ZWO AM5 and AM3 mounts Hollow, aircraft-grade aluminum construction for rigi...

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CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00

ZWO 78mm Holder Ring

ZWO-RINGD78
13 in stock

Securely mounts ZWO cooled cameras with a 78mm diameter body CNC-machined for a precise and stable fit Features top and bottom 1/4"-20 threads for...

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CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
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CA$69.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
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CA$83.00

ZWO 90mm Holder Ring

ZWO-RINGD90
11 in stock

Engineered for a precise 90 mm camera body diameter Official fit for ZWO ASI2600 and ASI6200 Pro Cooled Cameras Features a single, oversized M6 lo...

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CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
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CA$83.00
CA$2,099.00 - CA$2,099.00
CA$2,099.00
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CA$2,099.00

ZWO AM3N Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod

ZWO-AM3N-KIT

17.63 lb. payload capacity without counterweights Weighs only 9.04 lb. for extreme portability Dual Alt-Azimuth and Equatorial modes 0-90° latitud...

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CA$2,099.00 - CA$2,099.00
CA$2,099.00
CA$2,099.00 - CA$2,099.00
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CA$2,799.00 - CA$2,799.00
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CA$2,799.00

ZWO AM5N Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod

ZWO-AM5N-KIT
1 in stock

Carries 33 lb. without counterweights 12.1 lb. lightweight mount head Dual Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth modes 0° to 90° latitude range for worldwide...

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CA$2,799.00 - CA$2,799.00
CA$2,799.00
CA$2,799.00 - CA$2,799.00
CA$2,799.00
CA$3,499.00 - CA$3,499.00
CA$3,499.00
CA$3,499.00 - CA$3,499.00
CA$3,499.00

ZWO AM7 Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod

ZWO-AM7-KIT

44 lb. payload capacity without a counterweight 14.9 lb. mount head weight Dual Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth modes Stepper motor with 0.17" resoluti...

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CA$3,499.00 - CA$3,499.00
CA$3,499.00
CA$3,499.00 - CA$3,499.00
CA$3,499.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00

ZWO AMH Hand Controller

ZWO-AMH

Allows to control AM3 & AM5 mounts Description In the Box ...

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CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00
CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00

ZWO Counterweight Bar for AM5 Mount

ZWO-BC230
8 in stock

Extends AM5 mount payload capacity beyond 28 lbs 230 mm (9") total length for flexible balancing Standard 0.787" (20 mm) diameter fits common coun...

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CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00
CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00
CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00
CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00

ZWO DC Y Splitter Cable

ZWO-DC-Y-Split
12 in stock

Powers two 12V accessories from one source Input: 1x Male DC Cigarette Lighter Plug Output: 2x Female DC Power Connectors Cable Length: 6 inches 2...

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CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00
CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00
CA$25.00 - CA$25.00
CA$25.00
CA$25.00 - CA$25.00
CA$25.00

ZWO Finder Shoe

ZWO-FS-II
7 in stock

Attaches Vixen-style finders and guide scopes Direct mounting to ZWO ASIAIR Pro and Plus units Includes two M4 x 8 mm mounting screws CNC machined...

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CA$25.00 - CA$25.00
CA$25.00
CA$25.00 - CA$25.00
CA$25.00
CA$21.00 - CA$21.00
CA$21.00
CA$21.00 - CA$21.00
CA$21.00

ZWO Replacement Fan for ASI Cameras

Options available
12 variants in stock

Official ZWO OEM replacement fan Restores original cooling performance to Cooled/Pro cameras Includes all necessary mounting hardware Backed by a ...

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CA$21.00 - CA$21.00
CA$21.00
CA$21.00 - CA$21.00
CA$21.00
CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00
CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00

ZWO Shutter Release Cable for ASIAIR PRO

Options available
3 variants in stock

Unlocks bulb exposures beyond 30 seconds on select Nikon DSLRs Connects ASIAIR PRO or PLUS directly to the camera's shutter port 1-meter (3.3 ft) ...

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CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00
CA$14.00 - CA$14.00
CA$14.00

Mount Types and What Each One Is For

Choose by what you do, not by capacity alone. A mount that is excellent for visual observing can be poor for long-exposure imaging, and vice versa.

  • German equatorial mounts: The standard for deep-sky imaging. One motor tracks the sky once polar aligned, and periodic error correction plus autoguiding delivers minutes-long sub-exposures.
  • Harmonic drive mounts: Strain-wave gearing carries heavy payloads with little or no counterweight, making a capable imaging mount portable enough to carry in one hand.
  • Alt-azimuth mounts: Intuitive up-down, left-right motion, ideal for visual observing and grab-and-go use; field rotation limits unguided imaging without a wedge.
  • Star trackers: Compact tracking platforms for a camera and lens, the lightest practical route into wide-field astrophotography.
  • Tripods and piers: Rigidity below the mount matters as much as the mount head; a pier removes tripod flex and settles vibration faster.
  • Counterweights and shafts: Correct balance reduces motor load and improves guiding, and extension bars help balance short, heavy optics.

Why Choose David Astro for Mounts and Tripods

Mounts are heavy, expensive and awkward to return. Getting the specification right the first time is worth more than a discount.

  • Realistic payload sizing: We recommend loading an imaging mount to roughly 50 to 60% of its visual rating, and we will say so even when it points you to a larger mount.
  • Pier and tripod height planning: We calculate the height you need to clear your tube at the meridian without striking the tripod legs, which is a common and frustrating surprise.
  • Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty, handled domestically in Canada rather than through international shipping.
  • Canadian inventory: Heavy items shipped from within Canada, avoiding duties, brokerage fees and cross-border freight damage risk.
  • In-house service: Diagnostics and repair for mount electronics and drives, so downtime is measured in days rather than months.

Mounts and Tripods in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

How much payload capacity do I really need?
For imaging, plan on using no more than 50 to 60% of the manufacturer's visual rating. A 20 kg mount is comfortable with a 10 to 12 kg imaging payload including camera, guider, cables and dovetail.
Are harmonic drive mounts good for long exposures?
Yes, with guiding. They have higher periodic error than a well-made worm-gear mount but it is smooth and correctable, and their portability and payload-to-weight ratio are unmatched.
Do I need a pier instead of a tripod?
Only if you have a permanent site or you are seeing vibration settle slowly. A pier improves rigidity and repeatability of polar alignment but sacrifices portability entirely.
How is a heavy mount shipped?
From our Canadian warehouse, with no customs handling for domestic orders. We advise on freight for the largest mounts and piers before you place the order.

Sizing a mount for your optic?

Send us your telescope, camera and site. We will recommend the right mount and tripod combination. In stock and shipping from Canada.